Norris Gelman of Philadelphia, who has taken over as Sandusky's lead attorney, said in a telephone interview that he had discussed that step with his client even before Judge John Cleland's ruling against the defense today.

Cleland, ruling on post-sentence motions, denied Sandusky's request for a new trial in an opinion posted earlier today. The Superior Court would be the next stop.

"It is an avenue of relief that is open to us, and we will certainly take it," Gelman said.

The appeal is grounded in trial attorney Joe Amendola's arguments that Cleland effectively denied Sandusky the right to counsel because - in rejecting pre-trial requests for a delay - Amendola did not have time to review all the evidence.

A spokesman for Attorney General Kathleen Kane said her office - which has inherited the Sandusky appeals - would not be commenting on Cleland's decision.

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